Very Similar Pattern (very + similar_pattern)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Towards a Semiology of the Periodic Review of UK Regulated Utilities

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2001
Stuart Cooper
This note explores the regulatory process of UK privatised utilities through the periodic review of prices. It provides a brief history of the privatisation programme in the UK and the theoretical arguments for the price-cap regulation that has been used. It argues that regulatory process appears to involve a covert dialogue and exchange of information between the regulator and regulated and also a second separate review process that consists of an overt dialogue. Using a semiotic analysis the authors suggest that the unfolding of each of these overt reviews follows a very similar pattern that is constantly being re-enacted. It is concluded that further research is required into the relative importance of the two separate review processes in the setting of the price-cap. [source]


Division of domestic work and psychological distress 1 year after childbirth: a comparison between France, Quebec and Italy,

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2002
Catherine des Rivières-Pigeon
Abstract Background. The participation of men in domestic work should have a positive impact on the wellbeing and mental health of women who are mothers of young children. However, cultural factors, which largely determine the expectations and desires of men and women, are likely to modify this impact. The purpose of this study was to explore differences between countries in the division of child care and housework between couples 1 year after childbirth, and to look at possible differences in the relationship between this division and the psychological health of new mothers. Methods. Similar studies were carried out in three countries: France, Italy and Canada (province of Quebec), making it possible to compare the situation of 1598 women. Results. The results revealed major differences between countries in the division of domestic work. For nearly all the child care and housework tasks studied, answers indicating an unequal division were more frequent in Italy than in France, and more frequent in France than in Quebec. Despite these differences, we found very similar pattern of associations, in the three countries, between the division of domestic work and the mental health of women. An unequal division of child care was linked with psychological distress, but this association was not found for the division of housework. Conclusion. These results raise questions concerning the mechanisms by which the division of domestic work affects the psychological health of new mothers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Phospholipid content, expression and support of thrombin generation of neonatal platelets

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2009
Heike Bernhard
Abstract Aim: Newborns have, despite low clotting factors and poor in vitro platelet function, a well functioning haemostasis. We investigated whether phospholipids (PL) in neonatal platelets differ from those in adult platelets in their exposure on the platelet surface, and their effect on thrombin generation. Methods: The effect of newborn and adult platelets on thrombin generation (TG) was measured by means of calibrated automated thrombography (CAT), and in a purified system. In addition, clotting times were measured. Phosphatidylserine (PS)-exposure was measured by flow cytometry. The amount of PL was determined by means of mass-spectrometry (Materials and Methods section in Supporting Information online). Results: In comparison with adults the clotting times in platelet-rich plasma of newborns were less shortened by adding calciumionophore. No differences in the support of TG between neonatal and adult platelets were found by means of CAT. In the purified system, TG was increased by ionophor-stimulated platelets but no difference was evident between newborn and adult platelets. Flow cytometric analysis showed no difference between adult and newborn platelets. Results of mass-spectrometry showed a very similar pattern of phospholipid-content of adult and newborn platelets. Conclusion: Our results do not provide any evidence that a different phospholipid-expression of neonatal platelets may alter TG in neonates. [source]


Seasonality in adult flight activity of two neuroptera assemblages of southern Mali

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Bruno Michel
Abstract The seasonality of insect assemblages in Africa is poorly investigated. To provide information on the relationships between climate and insect assemblages in the Sudanian region, strongly affected by climate change, we studied Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae assemblages (Insecta: Neuroptera) for 7 and 5 consecutive years respectively in southern Mali. To make the species inventory as exhaustive as possible, we performed weekly sampling by netting and light trapping. For both assemblages, results showed very similar patterns of variation in species diversity throughout the year. Adults of Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae were active all year, and the species succession was influenced by a strong temporal segregation. Species diversity peaked at the end of the rainy season and surprisingly during the dry season. Principal component analysis of the climatic factors followed by co-inertia analysis applied to two data sets, one comprising climatic factors and the other reporting presence/absence of species, showed a good association between the annual trend of climatic factors and the species diversity. But no well defined species grouping was clearly linked to a particular period of the year. This tight association between climate and species composition suggests that even small climate changes could modify significantly species assemblage characteristics. Résumé La saisonnalité des assemblages d'insectes en Afrique est peu étudiée. Pour fournir des informations sur les relations entre le climat et les assemblages d'insectes dans la région soudanienne, très affectée par les changements climatiques, les assemblages de Myrmeleontidae et d'Ascalaphidae (Insectes: Neuroptera) ont étéétudiés respectivement pendant sept et cinq années consécutives dans le sud du Mali. Pour que l'inventaire des espèces soit le plus complet possible, on a réalisé des échantillonnages hebdomadaires au moyen de filets et de pièges lumineux. Pour les deux assemblages, les résultats ont montré des schémas de variation de la diversité des espèces très comparables tout au long de l'année. Il y avait des adultes de Myrmeleontidae et d'Ascalaphidae actifs toute l'année, et la succession des espèces était influencée par une ségrégation temporelle très forte. La diversité des espèces connaissait un pic à la fin de la saison des pluies et, étonnamment, pendant la saison sèche. L'analyse en composantes principales des facteurs climatiques suivie par une analyse de co-inertie appliquée à deux jeux de données, un comprenant des facteurs climatiques, l'autre rapportant la présence/l'absence d'espèces, a montré une bonne association entre la tendance annuelle des facteurs climatiques et la diversité des espèces. Mais aucun groupement bien défini d'espèces n'était clairement liéà une période particulière de l'année. Cette étroite association entre le climat et la composition des espèces suggère que même de petits changements climatiques pourraient modifier significativement les caractéristiques de l'assemblage d'espèces. [source]


Cirsium species show disparity in patterns of genetic variation at their range-edge, despite similar patterns of reproduction and isolation

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 2 2003
Alistair S. Jump
Summary ,,Genetic variation was assessed across the UK geographical range of Cirsium acaule and Cirsium heterophyllum. A decline in genetic diversity and increase in population divergence approaching the range edge of these species was predicted based on parallel declines in population density and seed production reported seperately. Patterns were compared with UK populations of the widespread Cirsium arvense. ,,Populations were sampled along a latitudinal transect in the UK and genetic variation assessed using microsatellite markers. ,,Cirsium acaule shows strong isolation by distance, a significant decline in diversity and an increase in divergence among range-edge populations. Geographical structure is also evident in C. arvense, whereas no such patterns are seen in C. heterophyllum. ,,There is a major disparity between patterns of genetic variation in C. acaule and C. heterophyllum despite very similar patterns in seed production and population isolation in these species. This suggests it may be misleading to make assumptions about the geographical structure of genetic variation within species based solely on the present-day reproduction and distribution of populations. [source]